Best experience of my life!!!! Past Review

By (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/15/2012 to 06/15/2012 with

CIEE: Alicante - Liberal Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
SO WORTHWHILE. I gained a different and better perspective on life and the cultural immersion was an incredible experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to save it until the end instead of getting excited when you get there and spending a ton of money at once

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish Civilization
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Speak the language between you and your American friends. Speaking English all the time really makes it difficult to switch between a second language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The staff at CIEE Alicante
  • Their resourcefulness
* What could be improved?
  • The spanish class was not entirely helpful.
  • Americans spoke English all the time in CIEE activities/onsite
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Integration with Spanish students is difficult and that you have to put al lthe effort in at the beginning if you want to make local friends.